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Stuart Hall denies sexual abuse of three girls Stuart Hall denies sexual abuse of three girls
(35 minutes later)
Veteran BBC broadcaster Stuart Hall has appeared in court to plead not guilty to the sexual abuse of three girls. The veteran BBC broadcaster Stuart Hall has appeared in court charged with indecently assaulting a nine-year-old girl 30 years ago.
The 82-year-old former It's a Knockout presenter gave his full name as James Stuart Hall when he was called before the bench for the brief hearing at Preston magistrates court on Monday. The 83-year-old, best known for presenting It's a Knockout, is accused of touching the girl in Cheshire in 1983.
Hall was asked by the clerk of the court if he understood he faced three separate charges of indecent assault and if he wanted to enter a plea. He is also accused of sexual abuse involving a 16- or 17-year-old woman in the autumn of 1974 in Blackpool and of a 13-year-old girl in 1984.
He replied: "Yes, I do. Not guilty to all three charges." Standing in the dock at Preston magistrates court wearing a dark suit and striped tie, he said he was not guilty of all charges. He also confirmed his Cheshire address and his full name, James Stuart Hall.
Hall was allowed to sit down while further details of the charges were given. His wife, Hazel, was not in court.
Joanne Cunliffe, prosecuting, said the case should be sent to crown court because the charges were too serious to be dealt with at magistrates court. Joanne Cunliffe, prosecuting, said the case should be sent to crown court because the charges are too serious to be dealt with at magistrates court.
Outlining the charges, she said Hall is alleged to have fondled the breast of one girl, then aged 16 or 17, between 1 September and 31 December 1974 in Blackpool. Outlining the charges, she said Hall is alleged to have fondled the breast of one girl, then aged 16 or 17, between 1 September 1974 and 31 December 1974 in Blackpool.
On a second occasion he is alleged to have molested a nine-year-old girl by touching some time between 1 January and 31 December 1983. The third alleged indecent assault is that he kissed a 13-year-old girl on the lips on an occasion between 1 July and 27 September 1984. On a second occasion he is alleged to have molested a nine-year-old girl, some time between 1 January 1983 and 31 December 1983. The third alleged indecent assault is that he kissed a 13-year-old girl on the lips, on an occasion between 1 July 1984 and 27 September 1984.
None of the alleged victims can be named for legal reasons.
District judge Peter Ward granted Hall bail on the condition that he has no unsupervised contact with children under the age of 17 and lives at his home in Wilmslow, Cheshire.
He is due to appear at Preston crown court on 16 April.
Hall, who was first arrested on 5 December following an investigation by Lancashire police, left the court building after the brief hearing followed by TV cameras, photographers and reporters.
He has been a familiar face and voice in British broadcasting for half a century and was last year awarded an OBE.
His eccentric and erudite football match summaries made him a cult figure on BBC Radio 5 Live.
The BBC said Hall would not be working at the corporation while he faced the allegations.